The MLB All-Star Game has been a showcase for baseball’s top talent for nearly 90 years. From the first game in 1933 to the latest edition in 2021, these ten performances stand out as the best in All-Star Game history.
1) Ted Williams, 1946
After three years of military service in World War II, Williams returned to baseball with a big bang in 1946. The Boston Red Sox outfielder went 4 for 4 with two home runs, five RBIs, four runs and 10 total bases in the American League’s 12-0 win over the National League in Boston’s Fenway Park. After 75 years, Williams still holds the single game records for hits, home runs, RBIs, runs and total bases.
2) Al Rosen, 1954
In 1954, Rosen had not only one of the greatest, but also one of the gutsiest, performances in All-Star Game history. The Cleveland Indians first baseman tied Ted Williams’ record with two home runs and five RBIs while playing with a broken finger in the AL’s 11-9 win in Rosen’s home ballpark, Cleveland Stadium.
3) Ted Williams, 1941
Williams made history in 1941 as the last player in MLB history to hit .400 in a season (.406), but his All-Star Game performance also brought a historical first. The Red Sox slugger went 2 for 4 with four RBIs, and hit the first walk-off home run in All-Star history, a 3-run shot that give the AL a 5-4 win in Detroit’s Briggs Stadium.
4) Ichiro Suzuki, 2007
Playing in his seventh straight All-Star Game to start his career, Suzuki went a perfect 3 for 3 while leading the AL to a 5-4 win in San Francisco’s AT&T Park. The highlight of the night was Suzuki’s inside-the-park home run in the fifth inning, the first in All-Star Game history. The feat remains unmatched.
5) Carl Hubbell, 1934
In the greatest pitching performance in All-Star Game history, Hubbell set a record with six strikeouts in three innings. What was most impressive, though, was who he struck out. The New York Giants left-hander struck out five consecutive Hall of Famers: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin.
6) Arky Vaughan, 1941
While Vaughan’s night was overshadowed by Ted Williams’ walk-off home run, his performance still ranks as one of the best in All-Star history. The Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop went 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in the NL’s 7-5 loss at Detroit’s Briggs Stadium.
7) Ken Griffey Jr., 1992
At 22, Griffey became the youngest All-Star Game MVP in history. The Seattle Mariners centerfielder was a perfect 3 for 3 with a home run, double, two RBIs and two runs scored in the AL’s 13-6 win at San Diego’s Jack Murphy Stadium.
8) Willie McCovey, 1969
In 1969, McCovey had his best season, winning NL MVP and leading the league in all major power categories. The San Francisco Giant first baseman’s power was on full display in the All-Star Game, as he hit two long balls and drove in three in the NL’s 9-3 win at Washington D.C.’s RFK Stadium.
9) Gary Carter, 1981
Due to a players strike, the 1981 All-Star Game was the latest in history (August 9). The date made no difference to Montreal Expos catcher Gary Carter, as the future Hall of Famer blasted two home runs while leading the NL to a 5-4 win at Cleveland Stadium.
10) Bo Jackson, 1989
Jackson was already one of the world’s most celebrated athletes coming into 1989, having excelled at both professional baseball and football. The two-sport star took his game to another level at the 1989 All-Star Game, going 2 for 4 with a home run, stolen base and two RBIs in the AL’s 5-3 win at Anaheim Stadium.